The closer we get to January, the less we know about which teams will be the NFC's division winners.

The playoff picture

How would your team's prospects look if the season ended today? See where each team stands in the playoff picture midway through the season.
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The New Orleans Saints, in control of the NFC South all season, are now forced to win in Carolina to avoid potentially falling to the No. 6 seed in the conference. (Or falling right out of the playoff picture.)

The Lions need to win out, and hope at least one of their division rivals loses in Week 16 to keep Detroit's hopes alive heading into the final week. The Lions need the Packers and Bears to lose at least once each over the next two weeks, which isn't so hard to imagine. Detroit's schedule is in its favor: They face the Giants and Vikings to close the season.

One game. Four spots

The winner of Sunday's massive Carolina-New Orleans matchup should be the No. 2 seed in the NFC. (The Saints would clinch the No. 2 seed outright with a win. The Panthers also would have to win in Week 17 in Atlanta to clinch the division.) The loser of Saints-Panthers likely will fall all the way down to No. 6 in the playoff seeding behind San Francisco.

New Orleans has lost four of five games on the road, and faces the strong possibility of hosting no playoff games.

How the Eagles could clinch Sunday

Philadelphia might not even have to wait until Week 17. If the Cowboys collapse again in Washington, the Eagles will have a chance to sew up the NFC East on Sunday night against Chicago. If the Cowboys win in the afternoon, the Eagles will have little to play for in the game. It will all come down to the final week's Eagles-Cowboysmatchup, just like we expected all along.

Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly already has confirmed that the Eagles will play all their starters to win regardless of Dallas' result early.

Clarity out west

The only division lacking drama: the NFC West. The Seahawks can clinch the division and home-field advantage with a victory against Arizona on Sunday. The 49ers can also clinch a playoff spot and jump up to the No. 5 spot with a home win over Atlanta.

The Cardinals picked the wrong season to start 9-5. Their situation feels hopeless. Even if they win in Seattle and against San Francisco in Week 17, the Cardinals would need help to get to the playoffs at 11-5. We'll break that all down next week ifCarson Palmer wins in Seattle, which isn't too likely.